Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

Executive Summary

In deciding to progress further emergency legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government has taken into account its responsibility first and foremost to protect the lives and health of people living in Scotland. It has also borne in mind the pressures on all sectors including Scottish business, the Third sector and the public sector in Scotland, and the effect of the substantial adjustment to the way people are being asked to live by current public health guidance^[1], and required to live by the Health Protection (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 21) Regulations 2021^[2] which implement the revised Protection Levels that were published in April 2021^[3]. All restrictions will be kept under review in the event of new developments, such as the emergence of a new variant of concern, to ensure that they remain proportionate and necessary to support the ongoing public health response. The Scottish Government is satisfied that all of the measures contained in the Bill are appropriate and proportionate.